Look To The Stars News: Common Ground Foundation

Michael McKean Wins $1 Million For Charity In Jeopardy Final

Mon, 10 May 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Actor Michael McKean (“Laverne and Shirley” and star of Broadway’s “Superior Donuts”) prevailed as champion of the Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational Tournament during the weekend — winning $1 million for his charity the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF). This is the biggest amount ever awarded to charity in “Jeopardy!” history. It is also the largest single donation ever received by the IMF.

Myeloma is the second most common blood cancer after lymphomas, affecting an estimated 750,000 people worldwide. McKean became passionate for the cause when his friend, musician Lee Grayson, passed away from myeloma eight years ago. Regarding today’s victory, McKean said, “If some breakthroughs can be made or more research can be done due to this win, it would be incredible. There are so many amazing people at IMF who do great work.”

According to Susie Novis, president and co-founder of the IMF, McKean’s donation will be used for a special fund in honor of McKean and Grayson. “The money will fund research to find a cure and to help patients and their families through education,” Novis said. “His win has shown us how empowering being informed can be — it can change the lives of people all over the world!”

Celebrities Play Jeopardy For Charity

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:00:00 +0000

The Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Charity Invitational is well under way, and will be taping its semi-final and final rounds this weekend in Los Angeles.

The competition started last September, with contestants such as Dana Delany, Doug Savant, Hill Harper, David Duchovny, Anderson Cooper and a host of other famous faces playing the game show for charities such as UNICEF, the American Cancer Society, the Scleroderma Research Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation and more.

The first round of semi-finals are due to air on May 3, with the final line-up consisting of Jane Curtin (UNICEF), Pat Sajak (Veitnam Veterans of America), Harry Shearer (Common Ground Foundation), Michael McKean (International Myeloma Foundation), Isaac Mizrahi (Good Shepherd Services), Charles Shaughnessy (1736 Family Crisis Center), Neil Patrick Harris (Food on Foot), Jane Kaczmarek (Clothes Off Our Back) and Cheech Marin (the Hispanic Scholarship Fund).

Hard Rock Serves Up John Lennon For Charity

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Last week, Look To The Stars brought you the news that Yoko Ono had donated John Lennon’s Give Peace A Chance to charity. Now we can reveal that she has also donated another of the singer’s songs to another charity campaign.

The World Hunger Year (WHY), along with Hard Rock Cafe, has released Serve4, the latest in their series of albums designed to fight hunger around the world. Yoko Ono has donated John Lennon’s Gimme Some Truth to the album.

“This is a beautiful step towards world peace,” she said. “By imagining there’s no hunger, like what John sang in his song, we express our strong desire to bring a world in which children will never again suffer from hunger or poverty. Let’s come together and help spread this message around the world. John would have loved the fact that so many illustrious and good meaning partners and organizations have stood up to make this effort together.”

Kanye West Takes To Stage At Charity Event

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:30:00 +0000

The Common Ground Foundation held its second annual “Common & Friends” concert at the famed Hollywood Palladium on Saturday night. The show raised funds for the foundation, created by Grammy-Award winning hip-hop artist and actor, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, best known as Common.

The concert featured live performances from Common, The Roots, Nas, De La Soul, Ludacris, Queen Latifah, Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Heavy D, while Freddy Rodriguez, Garth Trinidad, Rasual Butler, Toccara Jones, Serena Williams, Amber Rose, Erica Hubbard, Alyssa Milano, Eva Amurri and Ian Ziering were all in attendance to support the Common Ground Foundation.

“I am very grateful and thankful to all who attended and supported the 2nd annual Common Ground Foundation event. To all the gifted artists that participated – I thank you for giving your time, energy, and creativity,” said Common. “To all the sponsors, thank you for your ongoing commitment to the progress of the future of our youth. God bless… Love.”

Ludacris Joins Common For Charity Hip Hop Concert

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:30:00 +0000

The Common Ground Foundation has announced the second annual “Common & Friends” concert to be held at the famed Hollywood Palladium on September 26, 2009.

The show will raise funds for the foundation, created by actor and hip-hop artist, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, best known as Common. Tickets are available through Live Nation, and the show will feature live performances from Common, Ludacris, Nas, The Roots, De La Soul and many special guests. Tickets are $100 for general admission and $200 for VIP Balcony seating. All proceeds will benefit the Common Ground Foundation.

“For the second year in a row Common and the biggest artists in hip-hop will come out and lend their support for the Common Ground Foundation,” said Executive Director, Jodie Blum. “With proceeds from this amazing event, we are able to raise much needed funds to empower youth in the United States.”

Chicago White Sox Team With Common Ground

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:44:00 +0000

The Chicago White Sox are once again teaming with hip-hop superstar, actor and children’s author Lonnie Rashid Lynn – better known as Common – and the Common Ground Foundation this season for a night at the ballpark to help serve Chicago youth.

On Friday, July 17 at 7:11 p.m., the White Sox will play Baltimore at U.S. Cellular Field. A portion of every ticket purchased on behalf of the Common Ground Foundation when using the special promotion code of “CGF” will go toward the organization.

The Common Ground Foundation was created by Common to serve as an inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities. The Foundation is committed to empowering youth in urban neighborhoods and providing life skills needed to achieve their dreams.

Rapper To Host Common Ground Concert

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:30:00 +0000

The Common Ground Foundation is to host the first annual “Common’s Start the Show n’ Bowl” and “Common & Friends Concert” to raise over $350,000 for charity.

The event will kick off on September 26 with a VIP gala at the Cartier Boutique in Chicago, with the bowling competition and concert taking place the following day. Joining rapper Common for the festivities will be Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am, as well as The Roots, Talib Kweli, Bilal, Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry, and many more yet to be announced.